The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency participated in the seventh annual Operation Dry Water weekend which has been held the weekend prior to the July 4th holiday since its inception.
Reports from the TWRA’s four regions resulted in 10 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests across the state. TWRA boating officers checked more than 2,800 vessels, issued 141 citations, 116 warnings, made four other arrests, and assisted 110 boaters. The number of boaters assisted was an increase from 36 in 2014.
There was one serious boating-related injury reported during the weekend. It came as a result of an incident involving a canoe in Wayne County.
The number of BUI arrests is an increase from eight persons arrested last year over Operation Dry Water Weekend and the same number as in 2013.
Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of BUI education and enforcement directed toward reducing alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities. Operation Dry Water is held to emphasize boating safety and give BUI enforcement high visibility during a period of high volume for summer boating activities.
TWRA officials remind all those who visit the state’s waterways for the July 4 holiday to be safe for what is annually one of the busiest boating times of the year.
TWRA officials emphasize the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) while boating in a safe and responsible manner. The TWRA wants all those who visit the waterways to have an enjoyable time. However, TWRA officers will be on the watch for dangerous boating behavior, such as BUI operators and other reckless operation.